Sump/refugium Idea...

suzimcmullen · 03/22/2008, 10:37 PM

First of all, what is the difference between refugiums and sumps?

Ok, my space next to my 29 gallon is very small. But if I was to get some thick plexiglass sheets cut to size, I could use the tank sealer stuff to put it together. Then I could get someone to come in and do the plumbing for me. What if I made a square tank but made it really super tall? I could still put the sand in the bottom, live rock on top of that and chaeto on top of that. The dimensions I could do would be around 14 by 14 square and 4 feet tall. It could look really cool. Would plexiglass be strong enough? How big does the pump have to be? Do they make them to suction to the wall inside the tank? Could it be camaflauged by broken rock pieces? I can just picture what that would look like when the rock is finally covered with purple coralline.

Should a tank like that be as tall or shorter than the main tank?

Who in the heck could I call to do the plumbing? Would a regular plumber get what I needed him to do?

I did use a local glass company once to cut a top for my kitchen table. I could just as easily have them cut glass any size I want. I could even have them do the type of glass that's not easily broken.

Suzi

horwitzs · 03/22/2008, 11:14 PM

"Sump" is a general term for a tank outside of the display used for increased volume, equipment such as heater/skimmer, etc...

A refugium is often part of a sump, but can be a refugium alone. It is an area reserved for growing macroalgae, pods, etc... sort of an ecosystem outside of the display tank, protected from fish and other predators (hence the base word, 'refuge').

suzimcmullen · 03/22/2008, 11:20 PM

Ok, I get it

Well if live rock makes a great filter then I'll do a fuge. Someday. No matter how it's made it's going to be expensive.

Suzi

cdbias2 · 03/23/2008, 04:44 AM

Worth every penny.
I just dont consider a fuge to be a filter. Not a mechanical one anyway.
Detrius in your live rock inside your fuge is no better than detrius in your live rock in your display tank

suzimcmullen · 03/23/2008, 05:11 AM

I'm sure it would be good and even look cool. But what do you think about my idea? Is it hard to work with that sealer? have you done it? Should I get someone to build me a wood base or something?

Thanks
Suzi

cdbias2 · 03/23/2008, 06:19 AM

I personally would use glass baffles. I find glass easier to cut than acrylic. Make sure and grind the top edge smooth to stop you from getting cut during maintenance. The silicone doesn't bond well to acrylic but it will work because it really doesn't have to be water tight.

ultimatemusky · 03/23/2008, 09:09 AM

Suzi, I had a guy build me one with a built in skimmer. He included everything per my instructions and dimensions, came with light and pump w/valve. Was basically a HOB plug and play unit. Cost me about $160 shipped

ultimatemusky · 03/23/2008, 09:16 AM

Let me add though, it is not as asthetically pleasing as the commercial units. Mine is out of plain view and doesn't matter to me that the glue beads dont look perfect.

03/22/2008, 10:37 PM	#1
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	Sump/refugium Idea... First of all, what is the difference between refugiums and sumps? Ok, my space next to my 29 gallon is very small. But if I was to get some thick plexiglass sheets cut to size, I could use the tank sealer stuff to put it together. Then I could get someone to come in and do the plumbing for me. What if I made a square tank but made it really super tall? I could still put the sand in the bottom, live rock on top of that and chaeto on top of that. The dimensions I could do would be around 14 by 14 square and 4 feet tall. It could look really cool. Would plexiglass be strong enough? How big does the pump have to be? Do they make them to suction to the wall inside the tank? Could it be camaflauged by broken rock pieces? I can just picture what that would look like when the rock is finally covered with purple coralline. Should a tank like that be as tall or shorter than the main tank? Who in the heck could I call to do the plumbing? Would a regular plumber get what I needed him to do? I did use a local glass company once to cut a top for my kitchen table. I could just as easily have them cut glass any size I want. I could even have them do the type of glass that's not easily broken. Suzi

03/22/2008, 11:14 PM	#2
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	"Sump" is a general term for a tank outside of the display used for increased volume, equipment such as heater/skimmer, etc... A refugium is often part of a sump, but can be a refugium alone. It is an area reserved for growing macroalgae, pods, etc... sort of an ecosystem outside of the display tank, protected from fish and other predators (hence the base word, 'refuge'). __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt.

03/23/2008, 09:09 AM	#7
ultimatemusky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: wisconsin Posts: 462	Suzi, I had a guy build me one with a built in skimmer. He included everything per my instructions and dimensions, came with light and pump w/valve. Was basically a HOB plug and play unit. Cost me about $160 shipped __________________ Goooz--Frabba........Ok, that didn't work I'm still ticked off. Current Tank Info: 75 gal w/lps, zoas, shrooms, RO/DI, 500watt halide+ 108watt t5, 1500+gph flow, 10g fuge w/chaeto/rubble rock, 10gal sump w/rock, 125#'s+ live rock, 3.5" sand bed, 40 gal breeder frag tank w/250 watt halide & 192 watts actinic pc's

03/23/2008, 09:16 AM	#8
ultimatemusky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: wisconsin Posts: 462	Let me add though, it is not as asthetically pleasing as the commercial units. Mine is out of plain view and doesn't matter to me that the glue beads dont look perfect. __________________ Goooz--Frabba........Ok, that didn't work I'm still ticked off. Current Tank Info: 75 gal w/lps, zoas, shrooms, RO/DI, 500watt halide+ 108watt t5, 1500+gph flow, 10g fuge w/chaeto/rubble rock, 10gal sump w/rock, 125#'s+ live rock, 3.5" sand bed, 40 gal breeder frag tank w/250 watt halide & 192 watts actinic pc's

03/22/2008, 11:20 PM	#3
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	Ok, I get it Well if live rock makes a great filter then I'll do a fuge. Someday. No matter how it's made it's going to be expensive. Suzi

03/23/2008, 04:44 AM	#4
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	Worth every penny. I just dont consider a fuge to be a filter. Not a mechanical one anyway. Detrius in your live rock inside your fuge is no better than detrius in your live rock in your display tank

03/23/2008, 05:11 AM	#5
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	I'm sure it would be good and even look cool. But what do you think about my idea? Is it hard to work with that sealer? have you done it? Should I get someone to build me a wood base or something? Thanks Suzi

03/23/2008, 06:19 AM	#6
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	I personally would use glass baffles. I find glass easier to cut than acrylic. Make sure and grind the top edge smooth to stop you from getting cut during maintenance. The silicone doesn't bond well to acrylic but it will work because it really doesn't have to be water tight.